Explaining Abnormal Behaviour

In the past, abnormal behaviour was attributed to possession by evil spirits, therefore to treat that person, those spirits would need to be excised (usually with magic, spells, or potions).

Today we look at abnormal behaviour differently, and how that behaviour is treated can vary amongst the different viewpoints (schools) of psychology.

Five of the main viewpoints are described below.

Note: There is no “correct” viewpoint, as multiple viewpoints may help to explain someone’s behaviour.

The Biological Viewpoint

The biological viewpoint assumes that an abnormal behaviour is a result of something being wrong with the body.

For example, genetics, hormonal levels, infections or a brain injury are all things which could cause a person to behave differently from how they normally would.

The Psychodynamic Viewpoint

The psychodynamic viewpoint holds the view that behavioural disorders are a result of repressed emotional conflicts, and stem from Freud’s psychosexual theory of development.

The Learning Viewpoint

The learning viewpoint assumes that abnormal behaviour is due to experiences people have had in the past, which they have learnt to associate with a particular emotion.

For example, a person who is afraid of the dark may have been locked in a dark room when they were younger, thereby causing them to fear the dark as an adult.

The Humanistic Viewpoint

The humanistic viewpoint attributes abnormal behaviour to an inability to become self actualising.

For example, a person had dreams of achieving certain things when they were younger, but now they are an adult they feel they will never achieve what they wanted to do in life.

The Sociocultural Viewpoint

The sociocultural viewpoint attributes the effect of society on the development of abnormal behaviour.

For example, your house gets destroyed in a natural disaster and you loose everything because the insurance companies won’t pay out. So you become depressed, and think of committing suicide.

Summary

• Abnormal behaviour can be treated differently depending on what school of psychology you subscribe to.

• The biological viewpoint says that disorders are due to physical damage or disease in the body.

• The psychodynamic viewpoint believes disorders are due to unconsciously repressed emotional conflicts.

• The learning viewpoint believes our past experiences may cause some disorders.

• The humanistic viewpoint believes a failure to achieve what you want to achieve in life can cause mental disorders.

• The sociocultural viewpoint believes society can cause people to develop mental disorders.